“Internet famous” for her humorous and inspirational self-syndicated webcomic about surviving the insanity of life and parenthood, Tanya is a mama, a writer, a cartoonist and an entrepreneur who has faced a tremendous amount of adversity throughout the challenges of her life and has risen above it all. Find out more about her and her work on her website.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

Stairway to Awesomeness is not your average self-improvement book. It is the ultimate self-improvement book that goes against the grain of many self-help/self-improvement books out there. I take my readers on my very real tragedy-to-triumph life journey and explain HOW and WHY I changed my way of thinking about many things that so many of us are conditioned to believe. The 30 fundamental steps that I write and illustrate about are tried and true and life changing and I prove that achieving a life of awesomeness IS possible. There is also a very unique and humorous comic twist throughout the book that will make you smile as you make your own climb to awesomeness!

Do you have another job besides writing?

Yes! I am an entrepreneur. I own a self-syndicated webcomic production company, Comic Strip Mama Enterprises Inc.. Aside from literary comic works, I provide creative comic services and sell novelty merchandise. I also provide a daily dose of humor and inspiration on my social media platforms and my blog.

What was your goal when writing this book?

To write an awesome and unique self-improvement book that will educate, inspire and motivate my readers to WANT to change and improve their life for the better!

What will the reader learn after reading your book?

My readers will learn how to focus on the positive, recognize the blessings and find the humor in life instead of taking it SO seriously. They will also learn that it IS possible to realistically achieve awesomeness, even in the face of adversity!

What type of writer are you—the one who experiences before writing, like Hemingway, or the one who mostly daydreams and fantasizes?

I definitely experience and then write about my self-proclaimed expertise!

Agatha Christie got her best ideas while eating green apples in the bathtub. Steven Spielberg says he gets his best ideas while driving on the highway. When do you get your best ideas and why do you think this is?

Being a non-fiction self-help/self-improvement writer, I get my best ideas by living, learning and observing… and I am extremely observant. 😉

Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to placate her when she refuses to inspire you?

I get along with her as long as she focuses! Sometimes I have to give her some coffee or wine. Depending on the time of the day! 😉

Describe your working environment.

Laptop… wifi… everywhere and anywhere.

They say authors have immensely fragile egos… How would you handle negative criticism or a negative review?

I realize that not every review will be a positive one. I can be a little sensitive, but I have already been judged negatively throughout my life and my comic journey. You really need to decide if it’s worth the time and effort to respond to it and it MUST be a positive response. Most times, it’s not worth it so I just go check out a celebrity facebook page and look at their hate messages. Makes me feel a little better!

Are you a disciplined writer?

Not usually… Unless there is a do-or-die deadline. Then I get ‘er done!

When it comes to writing, are you an early bird, or a night owl?

I am a night owl, most definitely. Because I write around my life as a mama and an entrepreneur, nighttime is usually the best time for me to relax and concentrate. I also suffer from a sleeping disorder… it’s when I finally get into bed and all the voices in my head want to come up with brilliant writing ideas! I usually take my “smartphone” to bed with me and I use a notepad app to keep track of quickie ideas that enter my mind. However, I have been known to get out of bed in the middle of the night and make my way to my laptop!

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Me: “What do you think about me writing a book, like a comic novel?”

Cheryl Kaye Tardif: “Do it! Then send it to me.”

So I did. Cheryl is a brilliant and talented author. I have followed her success for years!

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

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